With the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation happening in October 2017, it was decided that a new exhibit was needed for the display case in the James White Library hall outside of the Center’s entrance. The exhibit would offer information on Martin Luther, a key player in the Reformation, other reformers, as well as information on things leading up to it as well as the legacy and outcomes of the Reformation. The twenty-one foot display case would house a 1765 German Bible as well as other facsimile and reproduction items. Some of the key facsimile items were tracts by Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon, a papal bull by Pope Leo X warning Luther, and a tract against Luther by Henry VIII. A patron from the community who viewed the exhibit said, “I enjoyed having the chance to learn more about Martin Luther and the time period of the Reformation from this exhibit.”

Also included with the exhibit were QR codes for patrons to scan for additional information about Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries, Johannes Gutenberg and modern printing, the Reformation in England, France, Spain, and Hungary, a more detailed look at Luther’s life, and Bible events during the 16th Century.

The exhibit debuted on October 6, during the Reformation Symposium held by the Theological Seminary that same week.

On October 31, the Center filled a small display case in the lobby with the actual tracts and two 1530’s German Bible translations for interested persons to come and view during the day. At 1:30 p.m., Merlin Burt, director of the Center held a special show-and-tell of the items in the display case as well as several other 16th Century items. Also present to speak on the impact of the Reformation on higher education was Alayne Thorpe, Dean of the School of Distance Education and International Partnership. Denis Kaiser, Assistant Professor of Church History and Annotation Project Editor, Ellen G. White Estate, also shared some things relating to Ellen White and her views and comments on the Reformation.

After the short lectures, the items were available for those who attended to see up-close and photograph. The items were returned to the case following the show-and-tell and remained in the lobby the rest of the day.